Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania. : Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States, Part 48

Author:
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1006

USA > Pennsylvania > Carbon County > Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania. : Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 48
USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania. : Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 48
USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania. : Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 48

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August 15, 1893, Mr. Reyer was united in mar- riage with Miss Sallie D., daughter of William Spangler, late of Allentown. In political elec- tions Mr. Reyer casts his vote and influence in fa- vor of the Democratic party. Religiously he is a

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HENRY ERWIN.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

member of the Reformed Church. He takes pleas- ure in assisting, in whatever way possible, the in- tcrests of his community, and as an attorney ranks among the best read and most promising in this part of the state.

H ENRY ERWIN. This prominent resident of Northampton County is the proprietor of the Blue Mountain Paint Works, and is the largest manufacturer of that article in the Lehigh Valley. He is thoroughly versed in the chemistry of minerals, geology, etc., and is a most shrewd and successful business man.

The subject of this sketch was born in County Derry, Ircland, in 1842, and is a son of John Er- win, also a native of the Emerald Isle, and of Scotch descent. The latter was a laborer in the Old Country, and the year after our subject's birth emigrated with his family to America and located at once at Summit Hill, Carbon County, this state, where he found employment in the mincs. Later, however, he purchased a farmi near Lehighton, the above county, and was engaged in its cultivation until his decease, at the age of sixty-two years. His wife, Nancy, was the daughter of William and Margaret (Davis) Daugherty, also natives of Ire- land. She preceded her husband to the better land, leaving at her death seven children, six of whom are now living.

During the late war Henry Erwin enlisted in the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, under Colonel Burnham, by whom he was given a pass to join his regiment in the front. The conductor on the train, however, refused to lionor the paper, and, having no money, he was obliged to return home. His parents then pleaded so earnestly with him to remain that he decided to do so, and made no further effort to join the army. His brother, Thomas, was a member of the Twelfth Pennsyl- vania Infantry, and was severely wounded at the battle of Antietam, from the effects of which he

has never recovered. John, next to the youngest son, served as a Union soldier in the Fourth Penn- sylvania Cavalry, and after his return was killed in the coal mines. Mathew Erwin manages the old home farm in Carbon County; William is liv- ing in California; Annie is in Europe; and Mary lives in the West.

Our subject received his education in the Summit Hill schools, and remained on the home farm un- til reaching his eighteenth ycar, when he was ap- prenticed to learn the trade of a blacksmith in Mauch Chunk. After remaining there for some time he went to Janesville, and became a machin- ist and boiler-inaker in the Janesville Locomotive Shops. There he remained until 1864, when he accepted a position with a coal company, having charge of the mining machinery at Yorktown.

After being variously employed for some time, Mr. Erwin located, in 1866, in Lehighton, where he opened a blacksmith shop and engaged in business for himself. The following year we find him in Bethlehem, where he engaged in mining iron ore, leasing ground near Bath. He has changed his place of operations from time to time as he could benefit liimself, and is now the proprietor of a metallic paint and iron ore mine near the Gap, in Carbon County. He manufactures from twenty- cight to thirty different shades of paint, and for this purpose uses about fifteen kinds of minerals, some of which he imports. He is also the pro- prietor of mines in other parts of this state, New Jersey and Virginia.

Mr. Erwin is President and Manager of the Bermuda Ochre Company, which was incorporated with a capital of $32,000. The works are located between Petersburg and City Point, on the Ap- pomattox River. The company owns about nine hundred acres of land, and is doing a thriving business in this branch of mining. Our subject is the possessor of considerable real estate in West Bethlehem, and by the admirable manner in which he has conducted his various enterprises has be- come wealthy.

In 1866 Mr. Erwin and Miss Jennie Gormly were united in marriage. To them were born the following-named seven children: William, Min- nie, Jennie (deceased), Harry, John, Joseph and

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Maggie. They also lost one child by death in in- fancy. Socially our subject is a member of the Union League, of which he has been Vicc-Presi- dent. He has always been a stanch Republican in politics, and occupies a high place in the regard of the community where he has resided for so many years.

A LONZO F. CORBY. No member of any community in Carbon County is held in greater esteem than this gentleman, and no one is more worthy of the success which results from diligence, ability and enterprise than he. His residence is in Nesquehoning, where he is con- ducting a good trade as general merchant and has also filled the responsible position of Postmaster. He was born in this county, August 18, 1850, and is the son of Ralph and Charlotte (Fisher) Corby. The former was a native of England, while the mother was born in Carbon County. Ralph Corby for a period of thirty years was Postmaster of Nes- quehoning in which place he was also manager for the G. L. Watson Company, a large mercantile establishment. He was a man of broad and liberal views, progressive, benevolent and a gencrous supporter of all worthy enterprises. He was a Republican in politics, and on one occasion was candidate for County Treasurer, but was defeated, owing to Carbon County being largely Democratic at that time. He departed this life in 1886.

Alonzo, of this sketch, received his education in the district school. When a lad of eleven years he concluded to end his school life, and become interested in pursuits of labor fitted to his taste. A natural and careful student, lie acquired by reading and close study of books, and of all with whom he came in contact, an education, that is, so far as actual and practical experiences of life are concerned, quite equal to that gained in college. He was variously occupied for some time after starting out for himself, and engaged in clerking in different establishments in Nesquchoning until

1890, when, in company with Hon. Michael Cassidy, of this place, he became established in business for himself, the firm name being Corby & Cassidy. They still continue together, and are enjoying the patronage of the best people of the community, as well asa good trade from the surrounding country.

In 1889 Mr. Corby was appointed Postmaster of Nesquelioning, holding the office for a period of five years. He was very popular in that capacity, and discharged the duties of the office to the satis- faction of the people. Mr. Corby was married in 1875 to Miss Elizabetlı, daugliter of Herbert Lewis, now deceased. They have become the parents of five children: Hattie M., Robert A., Ralph H., Blanche M. and John C.

In social affairs Mr. Corby is a prominent Odd Fellow, belonging to the lodge in Mauch Chunk. He is also a Knight of Pythias of this place, where . he also liolds membership with the Patriotic Order Sons of America. His record in all the relations of life, and in the duties devolving upon him as an honorable man and faithful citizen, is of the highest.

D AVID F. KENNEDY. This name will be at once recognized as that of a resident of Lower Catasauqua, where he is stationed as Assistant Agent of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company. He was born in Hokendauqua, No- vember 9, 1872, while his father, John Kennedy, was a native of County Tipperary, Ireland. The latter was a farmer by occupation, and in 1861 came to America and located in the above place, where he entered the employ of the Thomas Iron Company. He was scction boss for that firm many ycars, having charge of their roadbeds and yards. His wife, Mrs. Mary Kennedy, was likewise born in Ireland, but they met and were married in Cat- asauqua.

Of the seven sons included in the family of John Kennedy, five are living, and our subject is the third youngest. His brother John was killed

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while acting as brakeman on a railroad in New Jersey. William, who was formerly an employe of the Thomas Iron Company, was taken over the dam of the Lehigh River while on a pleasure trip, and was drowned.

Mr. Kennedy carried on his studies in the pub- lic schools of his native place until reaching his fourteenth year, when he entered the employ of the Thomas Iron Company, where his father was engaged. He was brakeman for that company in their yards until 1879, when he was crippled by an accident. He was running back ward on the car and pulling the brake, when the wheel came off and he fell under the cars and was dragged for about sixty yards. His leg was so badly injured that he was obliged to have it amputated in St. Luke's Hos- pital, wlicre he was confined for six weeks.

After fully recovering from this accident, our subject learned the art of telegraphy, under the in- struction of James M. Lennon, agent of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and six months later was ap- pointed Assistant Agent at Lower Catasauqua. His home, however, is in Hokendauqua, and, like his par- ents, he belongs to St. Lawrence's Catholic Church. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, and is filling his present position in a nost satisfactory manner.

M ONROE SCHAADT. Agriculture and stock-raising have formed the principal occupations of this gentleman, and the wide-awake manner in which he has taken advan- tage of all methods and ideas tending to enhance the value of his property has had a great. deal to do with obtaining the confidence which he now enjoys. He is one of the representative and well known farmers of South Whitehall Township, which is due largely to industry, perseverance and close attention to business.

Our subject was born in North Whitehall Town- ship, this county, March 8, 1834, and is the son of Henry and Magdalena (Knauss) Schaadt, also na-

tives of this locality. His grandfather, John Schaadt, was also born in the above township, while his father, John Schaadt, came from Ger- many. The parents of our subject came with their family to South Whitehall Township in 1834, and made their home in the house in which Monroe is at present residing. The father died in 1869, and his wife lived until March 1, 1886, when slie too passed away. Of their family of children, the fol- lowing survive: William; Hattie, the widow of the late David Troxell; Polly, the widow of Alfred Balliet; Monroe; Eliza, wife of Reuben Kemerer; John J., ex-Treasurer of Lchigh County; and Anne, now Mrs. Solomon Ruch. Those deceased are Benjamin H., Christiana, and three who died in in- fancy. Henry Schaadt was a member of the Ger- man Reformed Church and was a well known res- ident of this part of the county. He was a promi- nent Democrat in politics and a public-spirited citizen, who was alive to the interest of this sec- tion, where he was held in high esteem.

Monroc Schaadt was reared in his native county, and having received a thorough training in agri- cultural pursuits during his youth, has made that branch of work his life occupation. His marriage with Miss Catherine Butz was celebrated Septemn- ber 19, 1857. The lady was born in this county and was the daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Lentz) Butz, the former of whom is deceased. Peter Butz, Sr., the great-grandfather of Mrs. Schaadt, came from Germany, being the first of the family to emigrate to America, and located in Berks County. Later his son Peter made set- tlement in this county, and at his death was one of the wealthy farmers of North Whitehall Township. Mrs. Schaadt was one of a family of five children, of whom those surviving besides herself are: Louisa, the widow of Jeremiah Kuhns, and Peter. After the death of her first husband Mrs. Butz was married to Danicl Kuhns, and to them was born a son, Walter M. This lady still survives and has reached the advanced age of seventy-nine years.

Of the twelve children born to our subject and his wife all are living with two exceptions, and are named respectively: Samuel B .; Ida V. B., the widow of John H. Strauss; Walter B., Milton M.

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B., M. Preston B., Alfred P. B., Lloyd HI. B., Howard E. B., Katie B. and Carrie M. B. The parents and their family are members of the Ger- man Reformed Church, in which denomination our subject has served for two years in the ca- pacity of Elder, and for four years has been Dca- con. He is a strong Democrat in politics. Mr. Schaadt owns one hundred and sixty-five acres of land, which is under an admirable state of cultiva- tion, and as a public-spirited and progressive citi- zen has done much for the upbuilding and develop- ment of the best interests of the community.

EORGE BOYER, the capable Secretary of the Farmers' Union Mutual Fire Insur- ance Company of Pennsylvania, and a favorably known resident of Kreidersville, is a native of the Keystone State, having been born in Bucks County, November 30, 1821. His parents, Jacob and Maria (Lauback) Boyer, were natives of Bucks and Northampton Countics respect- ively. The father removed to this village in 1830, and died in 1858. His life was passed in the pur- snit of agriculture, and he was in every respect an estimable man.

With his father, George Boyer camc to Allen Township, passing his youth on his father's farm. His time before attaining his majority was princi- pally passed in attendance at the district school and in helping his father with the farm work. For a short time he attended a private school in Easton, but, being a wise man, did not allow his education to stop at the time he was obliged to leave school to engage in the practical and ardu- ous duties of life. To obtain a livelihood he en- gaged in the mercantile business on attaining manhood, in the town where he still resides. He was also honored with the position of Postmaster, and has held various other local offices, having served as School Director of Allen Township, and officiated in other capacities. For five years he

served as Justice of the Peace of this township, proving himself thoroughly trustworthy and re- sponsible. In 1883 he was made Secretary of the Farmers' Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company, in which office he has since officiated. He is the owner of one hundred and thirty acres of fine land, under good cultivation.

The faithful and loving wife and helpmatc of our subject was in her maidenhood Elizabeth Ruch, and the ceremony by which she became Mrs. George Boyer was performed November 11, 1845. A native of Northampton County, she is the daughter of Jonas and Elizabeth Ruclı, likewise residents of this locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Boyer six children have been born, four of whom are living: Elizabeth, wife of Solomon J. Stetler; Mari- etta, wife of James M. Kleppinger; Amanda C., Mrs. James H. Dieter; and Ellen. Edwin and Al- fred J. are deceased. In politics Mr. Boyer votes with the Republican party, which best embodies his views and convictions. A zealous and active worker of the Reformed Church, he is identified with Zion Church, of which he is now Secretary. He is also the Treasurer of the Zion Cemetery Company, and in all measures affecting the gen- eral good always shows himself to be devoted to the welfare of his fellow-citizens.

OSEPH WELLER, M. D., D. D. S., who dc- parted this life August 26, 1894, aged nearly seventy years, was a most successful profes- sional man and accumulated a comfortable fortune during his business career. There was no resident of Trexlertown who was more widely and favorably known than he. In both professions with which he was connected lie gained more than ordinary success. It is not, however, so much through these occupations that he won note as through the invention of certain remedial agencies. He was the inventor and proprietor of "Weller's Eating Pellet," which as a blood purifier has no su-

HENRY RUETER.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

perior, and which is patented in the United States and Canada; and "Weller's Little Liver Capsules," also invented by himself, are coming into general use as a successful remedy for liver trouble.

From the year 1854 the Doctor was a resident of Trexlertown, of which he was one of the most progressive and influential citizens. He was born in Berks County, this state, on the 20th of August, 1825, and was a son of Peter and Susanna (Trolinger) Weller. His father, who was principally engaged in farming, was for a time employed in the old-fashioned iron forges at Dale, Berks County, and manufactured charcoal iron. Joseph was reared in his native county, re- ceiving his education in the common schools of the home locality. At the age of seventeen he began to learn the trade of a cabinet-maker, which he followed for about seven years.

Having decided to enter the dental profession, in 1851 our subject began the study of dentistry with Dr. W. H. Thompson, of Coatesville, Chester County, Pa., with whom he remained for eight months. Meanwhile he also read medicine under the tutelage of Dr. Samuel Young, of Schultzville, Pa., with whose family he resided while working at his profession. At Dale, Berks County, he opened a dental office, and after having spent some time there came to Trexlertown, in 1854. Here for a few years he devoted his attention exclusively to the dental profession. Meantime he continued his medical studies under Dr. W. S. Herbst, and in 1884 was licensed to practicc.

In addition to the inventions above named the Doctor was the inventor and proprietor of "Wel- ler's Indian Tincture." In addition to his home practice lie visited the Grand Central Hotel at Allentown, Pa., on Tuesday of each week, and there consultations with him were held for the treatment of chronic and other diseases. While the demands of his profession prevented him from taking the active part in public affairs that lie would otherwise have done, he nevertheless could always be relied upon to deposit a straight Repub- lican ballot, and his support was always given to the principles of that party.

Mrs. Weller was born in this county and bore the maiden name of Sarah Kern, being the daugh-

ter of Jeremiah Kern, late of Lehigh County. Five children were born to this union, namely: Rev. Harvey A., pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church at Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, Pa .; Elmer K., a graduate of the Medical School of Pennsylvania, but now deceased; Annie P .; Charles H., who re- sides at Montgomery, Pa .; and Elsie L. With his family Mr. Weller held membership in the Luth- eran Church, in the work of which he took an act- ive interest. Mrs. Weller is residing with her two daughters, Annie P. and Elsie L., in her elegant home in Trexlertown.

들수능음

H ENRY RUETER is the senior member of the Rueter Furniture Company, manufact- urers of parlor furniture in Allentown. The plant, which was established in this city in 1885, is situated on North Front Street, where the firm carries on a thriving business and turns out fine grades of furniture. The superiority of the product is universally recognized, and the business is on a solid financial basis.

In West Farland, Prussia, the subject of this sketch was born in 1827. He received a good educa- tion in Germany and taught school for some time prior to coming to America. In July, 1854, he crossed the Atlantic, landing in New York City. Thence he came to Pennsylvania, and for a year and a-half was engaged in teaching school in Easton, Northampton County. Later he opened a confec- tionery store in Bethlehem, where he had removed, and was thus engaged until 1856, when he obtained permission to carry on a restaurant and lunch counter in the Lehigh Valley depot at Allentown. In 1890, however, he abandoned this enterprise and engaged in the manufacture of furniture, which occupation he has found to be very profita- ble. He is a business man in the broadest sense of the term, and his success in life is proved by the fact that, although he started without money, he is now recognized as one of the well-to-do citizens of Allentown.

June 19, 1852, Henry Rueter and Miss Cather- ine Jumperz were united in marriage. Mrs. Rueter

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was born in Germany and there received a good education, her knowledge of books being acquired under the tutelage of her uncle, Franz Jumperz, who was a talented man and a minister of the Ger- man Catholic Church. She is an accomplished lady, and has always been a great lover of books, keeping herself posted on all the leading questions of the age. Her parents, Peter J. and Theresa (Hemmersbach) Jumperz, are deceased. The fa- ther of our subject is still living in Germany at the advanced age of ninety-seven years.

To our subject and his estimable wife have been born six sons and three daughters, viz .: Josephine, who is the wife of Samuel Brobst, of Allentown; John, residing in New York City; Edward, who is engaged in business with his father; Sophia, Mrs. James Rudolph, of this city; Henry A., also located in Allentown; Mary, the wife of Thomas J. Fretz; Charlie, residing in Bethlehem; William, who is shipping clerk for the Iron Barb Wire Company; and George, who is in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company.

Our subject is a strong advocate of public schools and has done much to promote the stand- ard of scholarship in his neighborhood, having been a member of the board for twenty-one years. In 1871 he organized the German Benevolent So- ciety, of which he was President for twenty-four years. He has always taken a prominent part in local affairs and never fails to cast a Republican vote at every election. He and his wife occupy a pleasant home at No. 131 Linden Street, and enjoy the esteem and confidence of their many friends.

ILLIAM HENRY HARRISON STUB- BLEBINE. No name is justly entitled to a higher place in the history of Bethlehein than the one which heads this sketch, for it is borne by a man who has most honorably discharged every obligation in life, and with such

tact that he has very few enemies in the world. He is a practical iron man, and is at present Super- intendent of the merchant department of the Beth- lehem Iron Company, with which he has been con- nected since 1863.

Our subject was born in Reading, May 26, 1840, and is the son of Peter Stubblebine, a native of Chester County, this state, where he is now living at the age of eighty-four years. The latter is a cooper by trade, and for many years was superin- tendent of the cooperage department in the Potts- town Iron Company. He is a Republican in poli- tics, and a devoted member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

Our subject's mother was in maidenhood Eliza- beth Hulderman, a native of Chester County, and the daughter of Daniel Hulderman, a farmer and mechanic. She is still living, and although eighty years of age is in the enjoyment of good health. She reared a family of ten children, four of whom are deceased. Of those living, Daniel is a pro- fessor of music in Albany, N. Y .; he fought as a soldier during the late war. John is residing in Lebanon, this state; and Charles is living in Potts- town.

Our subject received very limited advantages in the way of an education, for when a lad of ten years he commenced to work in the rolling-mills at Philadelphia. From there he went to Birds- borough, where he was similarly employed, and after leaving that place we find him in Reading, working in the mills there. In the fall of 1861 he offered liis services to his country, and as a member of a regimental brass band was mustered into the Fifty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, under Col. John R. Brook. With his company he was sent to the front as a part of the Army of the Potomac, but the following spring, on the order being given to muster all bands out of service, he returned to Philadelphia, where he again became employed in the mill.

In July, 1863, Mr. Stubblebine came to Bethle- hem, where he found work in the furnaces. He was promoted from time to time, until, in 1866, he became night superintendent. This position he held until 1875, when he received the appoint- ment of Superintendent of Mill No. 1, of the mer-

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chant department of the Bethlehem Iron Com- pany. The mill above mentioned manufactures almost every article made in iron and steel, and gives employment to four hundred men. Our sub- ject is quite a genius, and has patented the Stub- blebinc Furnace, of which the Stubblebine Furnace Company controls the patents. He has made sev- eral improvements on it since getting out the patent, and finds that it sells very readily.

The marriage of our subject was celebrated Jan- uary 29, 1859, in Reading, at which time Miss Margaret, daughter of Bright and Elizabeth ( Breni- zer) Heller, became his wife. For a further his- tory of her family the reader is referred to the sketch of her brother, D. W. Heller, elsewhere in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Stubblebine there were born three children: Winifred, in the draw- ing room of the Bethlehem Iron Company; Ida, the wife of Jacob W. Luckenback, of Bethlehem; and Annie, the wife of E. F. Gray, who also makes her home in this city. Mr. Stubblebine is a mem- ber of the Moravian Church. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and is greatly interested in the success of his party.

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Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania. : Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States, Part 48

Author: Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1006

Author:
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1006